Critics attack water plan again

ATLANTA - Critics have renewed their attack on a proposed update of a plan that includes increased withdrawals from Lake Lanier and the Chattahoochee River.

The Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District is completing an update of its 2003 water and wastewater plan. It includes conservation goals and six new water-supply reservoirs, in addition to the increased withdrawals from Lake Lanier and the Chattahoochee River through 2035.

Environmentalists say the plan relies too much on expensive technology while shorting less expensive conservation methods.

But Pat Stevens, the region's environmental planner, says the district is doing more in requiring county and city governments to adopt conservation measures than any other metropolitan region in Georgia.

The district board is expected to vote on the plan in March or April.